By Leslie Watkins

Anyone can have a garden, but very few people have great gardens. People with nice gardens can easily have better gardens. By observing a few simple practices you can expect to see improvement in a relatively short time.

Expect change. Gardens are alive, and all living things will change over time. That sunny cutting border may someday turn into a shade garden as surrounding trees grow taller. Over time gardens may require different plants more suitable to changing light and water conditions. Empty nesters can repurpose unused play areas and turn the old sandbox into a vegetable garden. Seniors may want to consider lower-maintenance shrubs to replace more demanding perennials. As time goes by, the nature of a garden changes, too. Maturing shrubs provide cover for nesting birds, who will pitch in on bug and grub control, making your job much easier. Snakes may discover the burgeoning vole population and take up residence in the nearby stone wall. Skunks may appear to snack on your underground grubs. Learn to accept them—they are great allies.

Expect the unexpected. Some of our greatest successes have nothing to do with us. Go with the flow. If you notice a plant doing especially well, consider altering your design to take advantage of it. It is better to have a thriving common plant than a suffering exotic. Find a good balance. Push your boundaries to see how different colors combine to create new effects. Instead of repeating your favorite combinations, try something new. Experiment by using annuals for an easy, temporary and low-cost option. Be inspired by nature and add native plants among your cultivars.

Prepare to invest. Start by educating yourself. There are countless books, gardening magazines and websites filled with beautiful pictures and plenty of how-tos. Read up on your new plants . . . better yet, read up before you buy them. Many attractive plants in the nursery are not suitable for all growing conditions, and some are actually invasive even though they are widely available. Think twice before you buy known invasives such as lysimachia nummularia (creeping Jenny), Aegopodium podagraria (goutweed or bishop’s weed), Berberis (Japanese barberry), Euonymus alatus (burning bush) or Acer platanoides (Norway maple). You may find yourself one day working overtime on your property or paying someone else to eradicate these potentially costly mistakes.

Various classes and programs will put you in touch with other gardeners, and many gardens are open to the public for visiting. The Connecticut Master Gardener Association offers an in-depth and very comprehensive certified training course. There are also great documentaries of gardens around the world that you can watch on a rainy day.

Plan for the long term. Gardening is a lifetime pursuit, so don’t be in a hurry. Plan ahead and pace yourself. Start with the big stuff that demands muscle while you have the energy, like improving your soil, digging new beds or adding stone steps or terraces. If certain plants become too demanding, switch them out for something easier. Plant an orchard, some nut trees or a berry patch for the next generation to enjoy.

Don’t forget to smell the roses. While striving for perfection in your garden, remember to take the time to enjoy the miracles happening all around you. It’s easy to be so intent on the task at hand that you miss seeing the light play on the scene around you. Practice the art of being still and observe how your senses pick up on both the small and the bigger things. Bring a fragrant bouquet indoors to brighten a room. Life is a precious and fleeting gift, and nature often makes that abundantly clear.

August Chore Checklist

Get a birdbath.
Take photos of your garden and keep notes.
Start collecting and storing seeds.
Learn how to propagate your plants.
See what’s working in your neighbor’s garden.
Have a spot to sit and observe your creation.
Place ornaments that have meaning for you.
Hire someone to do the things you can’t.
Make your garden inviting to wildlife.
Share your garden with friends.

Illustration by Leslie Watkins © 2017.